Revved Up at The Rusty Tractor Cafe – Ivybridge, Devon – September 2025

In early summer 2025, Rhino Play completed a bespoke cafe playground equipment installation at the popular Rusty Tractor Cafe, located at the entrance to Endsleigh Garden Centre in Ivybridge, Devon. This installation has successfully transformed the cafe’s garden area and significantly enhanced the visitor experience.

Cafe Playground Design Project Background

The cafe owner, Matt, approached Rhino Play with a specific business challenge: increasing footfall to the cafe by creating an engaging play space that would keep children fully occupied and happy. This would allow families to enjoy the delicious food and drinks on offer in a relaxed atmosphere.

The strategic goals for this commercial play equipment project were:

• Create a stimulating environment for children of various ages
• Design a play area that could be easily supervised from the outdoor seating area
• Increase dwell time and repeat visits from local families
• Enhance the overall cafe experience with high-quality, durable equipment

Bespoke Playground Design Solution

After careful consultation with the client, our playground design specialists recommended a combination of two popular climbing frames, connected to form one larger integrated play unit:

Forest Cabin Climber

The Forest Cabin Climber structure offers multiple climbing challenges and play opportunities for children, featuring:

1. Timber construction that complements the natural garden surroundings
2. Various climbing elements to develop physical skills
3. Sheltered areas for imaginative play
4. Accessible entry points for children of different abilities

Hawks Tor Log Climber

The robust Hawk Tor log adventure climber structure provides:

1. Natural-looking play elements that blend with the garden setting
2. Challenging climbing opportunities to develop strength and coordination
3. Durable construction for heavy commercial use
4. Multiple play options to maintain children’s interest

The two structures were cleverly linked to create a cohesive play experience, giving the cafe’s garden area a fantastic new look and provision for all ages.

Professional Cafe Playground Installation & Results

The installation process was completed efficiently with minimal disruption to the cafe’s operation. Our team fitted galvanised steel feet to all posts, installed Rubber Grass Mats safety surfacing throughout the play area, and positioned the equipment for easy supervision from the covered outdoor seating area. The cafe later enhanced the area with additional wood chip surfacing for improved aesthetics.

The new playground equipment has delivered excellent results for the Rusty Tractor Cafe with increased footfall from local families and extended visit duration as children remain engaged with the play structures. Customer feedback indicates enhanced satisfaction with the overall cafe experience, while the playground’s durable construction ensures a long-term return on investment for the business.

For more information about this project and how we can help you achieve your dream playground for a cafe, restaurant or pub, get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team on info@rhinoplay.co.uk – we’d love to help!